To achieve the objective of a continuously operating, intercalibrated European
trace gas measurement network on tall towers a consortium of the leading
European laboratories in the field has been formed for CHIOTTO. The consortium
contains leaders in the field of atmospheric sciences and carbon cycle related
studies. Most of the experimental groups have a more than 20 years long
experience of high precision measurements related to the carbon cycle, and have
pioneered methods (eddy correlation for UNITUS, UEDIN and Alterra) and
measurements of tracers that are now being used routinely (stable isotopes of
CO2 for CIO-RUG (sub-contractor of ECN), radiocarbon for MPG, CO2
and 222Rn for LSCE). The partners have already experience in
collaborative work. There is already a well established current exchange of
information, data, model codes and students which has been largely promoted by
the previous EU projects ESCOBA, AEROCARB, CARBOEUROFLUX, RECAB, CARBODATA,
TACOS and EUROSIBERIAN CARBONFLUX, which is also documented by the successful
ongoing activities in the CARBOEUROPE Cluster. As part of the EUROSIBERIAN
CARBONFLUX project, the partners MPI-BGC and LSCE (CEA-DSM) have organised a
successful field campaign in Russia, during summer 1998. These (and more) joint
activities have lead to a high level of integration among many participants.
For instance, we use primary standards of the same origin, the size of most of
our flasks samples is standardised, at least 2 groups (MPI-BGC, LSCE CEA-DSM)
use LI-COR type of analysers for CO2. The fact that we already are a
well organised consortium means that the success of our plans can be
anticipated.